I don't like to look into the past much. I would rather push forward. But if valuable lessons can be learned, some things are worth a second (or third) glance.
---
Last week when Jill Glavan, Cate Kelly, Jusin Redeker, Kyle Seever, and I covered the Rocheport fire, I feel that we may have missed an angle, and possibly a great story.
Right after our live shot, Howard County authorities told us fire officials would meet us "a couple of miles" away. Those "couple" turned to several miles through the dust-drafting, deer-dodging county roads that HoCo offers.
30 minutes later, we set up an impromptu news conference, collected some talking heads, and found out people were allowed back in their homes. Good news: everyone was safe. Bad news: we couldn't share it with our viewers. Four of us were covering a mediocre presser (Seever took the live truck back). No one was in position to get a reaction from any of the 8 families forced to leave their homes. We were herded like sheep out of the picture, and our story for the morning show was forced to be straightforward.
In no way do I fault myself, Jill, Cate, or Justin. We did what we were asked to do. We went where authorites told us to go. Maybe the families would shun us away. But we could have given a possible story a chance.
Great "stories" are not the standard press conference mumbo-jumbo. They center around people. That's why they call 'em "stories", right? They need characters.
The game never stops. Never let up. Always question. Always think outside-of-the-box. Always look for "the" story. Always.
Best,
-rt
Monday, May 25, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Live! and Learn
As expected, I've come up with an awful pun for my first blog. Yes, my learning took place during a live shot. What wasn't expected, however, was the actual live shot.
9 p.m. - I came back to KOMU yesterday thinking I was the audio operator for the 10 pm newscast. Little did I know that I would be on the other side of the camera.
9:10 p.m. - When we received info about a natural gas pipe explosion, I asked if I could go. Actually, I asked the director Gordon Davis if I was "expendable". It turns out I was.
9:15 p.m. - Jill Glavan and I headed out to the fire. Driving in our live truck, we headed in a general direction, and the orange haze showed us the way.
9:45 - 10:10 p.m. - After rolling through what seemed like every county road Boone and Howard county had to offer, we found a cozy spot next to one of our competitors, KMIZ (KRCG was MIA).
10:11 p.m. - Kyle Seever had already done a live phoner (which was really good), and he was at the ready to set up the live truck. Cate Kelly and Justin Kelly Redeker pulled up right after Jill and I did. They saw the fire from Olive Garden when their news noses smelled a story.
10:25 - Within 15 minutes of arriving, we were on the air. The shot went fairly well, even though there were some slip-ups.
That was the live part. Here's the learning:
10:32 - We find out more information. I want to go live again.
10:33 - I find out we don't have enough time, even though I ask for 20 seconds. Upon hearing this, I overreact and rip my earpiece off in disgust. All this is in front of the camera, mind you.
10:34:23 - The show ends. The anchors recap the story, and finish the show. I'm still steaming.
-----
10 hours ago, I would have a completely different train of thought about my actions. At first, I felt justified. "I had more info." "A story like this is rare in our market."
Now, it seems more cut and dry. I should not let my emotions get the best of me, especially in front of a camera. And, more importantly, I should not show up the producer, especially if it's something out of his/her control (and last night definitely was).
I'm not a robot. I love the pressure. I yearn for the big story. But acting out doesn't solve anything, and it doesn't prove that I'm a professional.
Lesson learned.. and lived.. "live".
-----
Shout outs:
Jill Glavan - Great job tweeting! And good slideshow. No one will ever know it was your first time with a camera.
Cate and Redeker - Thanks for field producing! Thanks for your comment after, Cate. Haha.
Kyle Seever - Nice push into the flames. Good work.
Jim and Angie - Pros.
Beth - Thanks for getting all the info on KOMU.com and working OT.
Production - Thanks for filling in for me, Gordon. The show looked great.
Randy - Great instincts sending out the live truck.
Lisa and Holly - Thanks for working the live shot in. Hopefully no hard feelings about the end of the show. You made the right call.
Best,
-rt
9 p.m. - I came back to KOMU yesterday thinking I was the audio operator for the 10 pm newscast. Little did I know that I would be on the other side of the camera.
9:10 p.m. - When we received info about a natural gas pipe explosion, I asked if I could go. Actually, I asked the director Gordon Davis if I was "expendable". It turns out I was.
9:15 p.m. - Jill Glavan and I headed out to the fire. Driving in our live truck, we headed in a general direction, and the orange haze showed us the way.
9:45 - 10:10 p.m. - After rolling through what seemed like every county road Boone and Howard county had to offer, we found a cozy spot next to one of our competitors, KMIZ (KRCG was MIA).
10:11 p.m. - Kyle Seever had already done a live phoner (which was really good), and he was at the ready to set up the live truck. Cate Kelly and Justin Kelly Redeker pulled up right after Jill and I did. They saw the fire from Olive Garden when their news noses smelled a story.
10:25 - Within 15 minutes of arriving, we were on the air. The shot went fairly well, even though there were some slip-ups.
That was the live part. Here's the learning:
10:32 - We find out more information. I want to go live again.
10:33 - I find out we don't have enough time, even though I ask for 20 seconds. Upon hearing this, I overreact and rip my earpiece off in disgust. All this is in front of the camera, mind you.
10:34:23 - The show ends. The anchors recap the story, and finish the show. I'm still steaming.
-----
10 hours ago, I would have a completely different train of thought about my actions. At first, I felt justified. "I had more info." "A story like this is rare in our market."
Now, it seems more cut and dry. I should not let my emotions get the best of me, especially in front of a camera. And, more importantly, I should not show up the producer, especially if it's something out of his/her control (and last night definitely was).
I'm not a robot. I love the pressure. I yearn for the big story. But acting out doesn't solve anything, and it doesn't prove that I'm a professional.
Lesson learned.. and lived.. "live".
-----
Shout outs:
Jill Glavan - Great job tweeting! And good slideshow. No one will ever know it was your first time with a camera.
Cate and Redeker - Thanks for field producing! Thanks for your comment after, Cate. Haha.
Kyle Seever - Nice push into the flames. Good work.
Jim and Angie - Pros.
Beth - Thanks for getting all the info on KOMU.com and working OT.
Production - Thanks for filling in for me, Gordon. The show looked great.
Randy - Great instincts sending out the live truck.
Lisa and Holly - Thanks for working the live shot in. Hopefully no hard feelings about the end of the show. You made the right call.
Best,
-rt
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